When we eat more calories than we burn, our bodies store this extra energy as fat. While a few extra pounds may not seem like a big deal, they can increase your chances of having high blood pressure and high blood sugar. These conditions may lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

Today, more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are considered to be overweight or obese. More than one-third of adults have obesity. This fact sheet will help you find out if you may be at risk of developing weight-related health problems. It will also explain how overweight and obesity are treated and give you ideas for improving your health at any weight.

How can I tell if I am at a normal weight?

Body mass index (BMI) is one way to tell whether you are at a normal weight, overweight, or obese. The BMI measures your weight in relation to your height.

The BMI table below will help you to find your BMI score. Find your height in inches in the left column labeled "Height." Move across the row to your weight. The number at the top of the column is the BMI for that height and weight. Pounds are rounded off. You may also go to the Resources section at the end of this page for a link to an online tool for measuring BMI.

A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is in the normal range. A person with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, and someone with a BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese.

However, because BMI doesn't measure actual body fat, a person who is very muscular, like a bodybuilder, may have a high BMI without having a lot of body fat. Please review your findings with your health care provider if your BMI is outside of the normal range.

Table 1. Body Mass Index Table

To use the table, find the appropriate height in the left-hand column labeled Height. Move across to a given weight (in pounds). The number at the top of the column is the BMI at that height and weight. Pounds have been rounded off.

Normal

Overweight

Obese

BMI

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

Height(inches)

Body Weight (pounds)

58

91

96

100

105

110

115

119

124

129

134

138

143

148

153

158

162

167

172

177

181

186

59

94

99

104

109

114

119

124

128

133

138

143

148

153

158

163

168

173

178

183

188

193

60

97

102

107

112

118

123

128

133

138

143

148

153

158

163

168

174

179

184

189

194

199

61

100

106

111

116

122

127

132

137

143

148

153

158

164

169

174

180

185

190

195

201

206

62

104

109

115

120

126

131

136

142

147

153

158

164

169

175

180

186

191

196

202

207

213

63

107

113

118

124

130

135

141

146

152

158

163

169

175

180

186

191

197

203

208

214

220

64

110

116

122

128

134

140

145

151

157

163

169

174

180

186

192

197

204

209

215

221

227

65

114

120

126

132

138

144

150

156

162

168

174

180

186

192

198

204

210

216

222

228

234

66

118

124

130

136

142

148

155

161

167

173

179

186

192

198

204

210

216

223

229

235

241

67

121

127

134

140

146

153

159

166

172

178

185

191

198

204

211

217

223

230

236

242

249

68

125

131

138

144

151

158

164

171

177

184

190

197

203

210

216

223

230

236

243

249

256

69

128

135

142

149

155

162

169

176

182

189

196

203

209

216

223

230

236

243

250

257

263

70

132

139

146

153

160

167

174

181

188

195

202

209

216

222

229

236

243

250

257

264

271

71

136

143

150

157

165

172

179

186

193

200

208

215

222

229

236

243

250

257

265

272

279

72

140

147

154

162

169

177

184

191

199

206

213

221

228

235

242

250

258

265

272

279

287

73

144

151

159

166

174

182

189

197

204

212

219

227

235

242

250

257

265

272

280

288

295

74

148

155

163

171

179

186

194

202

210

218

225

233

241

249

256

264

272

280

287

295

303

75

152

160

168

176

184

192

200

208

216

224

232

240

248

256

264

272

279

287

295

303

311

76

156

164

172

180

189

197

205

213

221

230

238

246

254

263

271

279

287

295

304

312

320

Extreme Obesity

BMI

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

Height(inches)

58

191

196

201

205

210

215

220

224

229

234

239

244

248

253

258

59

198

203

208

212

217

222

227

232

237

242

247

252

257

262

267

60

204

209

215

220

225

230

235

240

245

250

255

261

266

271

276

61

211

217

222

227

232

238

243

248

254

259

264

269

275

280

285

62

218

224

229

235

240

246

251

256

262

267

273

278

284

289

295

63

225

231

237

242

248

254

259

265

270

278

282

287

293

299

304

64

232

238

244

250

256

262

267

273

279

285

291

296

302

308

314

65

240

246

252

258

264

270

276

282

288

294

300

306

312

318

324

66

247

253

260

266

272

278

284

291

297

303

309

315

322

328

334

67

255

261

268

274

280

287

293

299

306

312

319

325

331

338

344

68

262

269

276

282

289

295

302

308

315

322

328

335

341

348

354

69

270

277

284

291

297

304

311

318

324

331

338

345

351

358

365

70

278

285

292

299

306

313

320

327

334

341

348

355

362

369

376

71

286

293

301

308

315

322

329

338

343

351

358

365

372

379

386

72

294

302

309

316

324

331

338

346

353

361

368

375

383

390

397

73

302

310

318

325

333

340

348

355

363

371

378

386

393

401

408

74

311

319

326

334

342

350

358

365

373

381

389

396

404

412

420

75

319

327

335

343

351

359

367

375

383

391

399

407

415

423

431

76

328

336

344

353

361

369

377

385

394

402

410

418

426

435

443

​

Source: Adapted from Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults. The Evidence Report. NIH Publication No. 98–4083: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; 1998.

​

Why do people gain weight?

Our bodies need calories (energy) to keep us alive and active. But to maintain weight we need to balance the energy we take in with the energy we use. When a person eats and drinks more calories than he or she burns, the energy balance tips toward weight gain, overweight, and obesity. The tipping point at which the calories coming in and the calories going out become out of balance and lead to weight gain may differ from one person to another.​

What other factors are involved?

Your genes, the world around you, and other factors may all affect weight gain. Learn how to address these factors in the section "How can I improve my health?"

Family

Research shows that obesity tends to run in families, suggesting that genes may contribute to obesity. Families also share diet and lifestyle habits that may affect weight. However, it is possible to manage your weight even if obesity is common in your family.

The World around You

Where people live, play, and work may also strongly affect their weight. Consider the fact that obesity rates were lower 30 years ago. Since that time, our genetic make-up hasn't changed, but our world has.

The world around us affects access to healthy foods and places to walk and be active in many ways:

Many people drive rather than walk.

Living in areas without sidewalks or safe places to exercise may make it tough to be more active.

Many people eat out or get takeout instead of cooking, which may lead to eating more calories.

Most vending machines do not offer low-calorie, low-fat snacks.

Overweight and obesity affect people in all income ranges. But people who live in low-income areas may face even greater barriers to eating healthy foods and being active than other people. High-calorie processed foods often cost less than healthier options, such as fruits and vegetables. There also may be few safe, free, or low-cost places nearby to be active on a regular basis. These factors may contribute to weight gain.

Does my body shape matter?

Health care providers are concerned not only with how much body fat a person has, but where the fat is located on the body.

Women tend to collect fat in their hips and buttocks, giving them a "pear" shape.

Men usually build up fat around their bellies, giving them more of an "apple" shape.

Of course, some men are pear-shaped and some women are apple-shaped, especially after menopause.

Extra fat around your midsection may put you at greater risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems—even if you have a normal weight. Your provider can help you assess your risk.

Culture

A person's culture may also affect weight:

Some cultures have foods with a lot of fat or sugar, making it hard to manage weight.

Family events at which people eat large amounts of food may make it tough to control portions.

Sleep

Research suggests that lack of sleep is linked to overweight and obesity. Recent studies have found that sleeping less may make it harder to lose weight. In these studies, adults who were trying to lose weight and who slept less ate more calories and snacked more.

For more on how obesity and sleep are related, see the Resources section at the end of this fact sheet for a link to the WIN fact sheet Do You Know Some of the Health Risks of Being Overweight?

Medicine

Certain drugs may cause weight gain. Steroids and some drugs to treat depression or other mental health problems may make you burn calories more slowly or feel hungry. Be sure your health care provider knows all the medicines you are taking (including over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements). He or she may suggest another medicine that has less effect on weight.

What problems are linked to excess weight?

Weighing too much may increase the risk for several health problems. It also may contribute to emotional and social problems.

Health Risks

Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, kidney disease, and certain cancers are some of the diseases linked to excess weight. Obese men are more likely than other men to develop cancer of the colon, rectum, or prostate. Obese women are more likely than other women to develop cancer of the breast (after menopause), gallbladder, uterus, or cervix. Cancer of the esophagus (the tube that carries food and liquids to the stomach) may also be linked to obesity.

Emotional and Social Effects

Excess weight may also contribute to emotional suffering. Physical beauty and how a person looks are highly valued in society. People who may not fit society's view of beauty because of their weight may be seen as less attractive.

Also, because some people in our culture may view a person with obesity as lacking willpower, people with obesity may face limited options in the job market, at school, and in social situations. They may feel rejected, ashamed, or depressed.

Who should lose weight?

Health care providers generally agree that people who are considered to be obese (have a BMI of 30 or greater) may improve their health by losing weight.

If you are overweight (BMI between 25 and 29.9), experts recommend that you avoid gaining any extra weight. If you are overweight and have other risk factors (see below), losing weight may reduce these risks. Experts recommend you try to lose weight if you have two or more of the following:

Family history of certain chronic diseases. If you have close relatives who have had diseases such as heart disease or diabetes, you may be more likely to develop these problems.

Pre-existing medical problems. High blood pressure, high LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, low HDL (good) cholesterol levels, high triglycerides, and high blood sugar (prediabetes or diabetes) are all warning signs of some diseases linked to obesity.

Large waist size. Men who have waist sizes greater than 40 inches and women who have waist sizes greater than 35 inches are at higher risk of diabetes, unhealthy blood fats (high cholesterol and triglycerides), high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Fortunately, losing even a small amount of weight can help improve your health. This weight loss may lower your blood pressure and improve other risk factors.

For example, research shows that people at high risk for type 2 diabetes who lose a modest amount of weight and increase their physical activity may prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. For more information, see the listing in the Resources section for the National Diabetes Education Program.

How are overweight and obesity treated?

The best way to control your weight may depend on how much excess weight you have, your overall health, and how ready you are to change your eating and physical activity habits. In some cases, if lifestyle changes do not lead to enough weight loss to improve your health, doctors may recommend additional treatment, including weight-loss drugs.

How can I improve my health?

Although you cannot change your genes, you can work on changing your eating habits, levels of physical activity, and other factors. Try the ideas below.

Research

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) conducts and supports a broad range of basic and clinical obesity research. More information about obesity research is available at http://www.obesityresearch.nih.gov.

Clinical trials are research studies involving people. Clinical trials look at safe and effective new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease. Researchers also use clinical trials to look at other aspects of care, such as improving the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses. To learn more about clinical trials, why they matter, and how to participate, visit the NIH Clinical Research Trials and You website at http://www.nih.gov/health/clinicaltrials. For information about current studies, visit http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov.

Get regular physical activity

Try these tips for starting or maintaining an exercise program:

Get at least 150 minutes (2 ½ hours) of moderately intense aerobic activity each week that raises your heart rate and makes you sweat. Brisk walking, biking (with a helmet), swimming, and playing tennis or basketball are fun choices that you can do with others for support.

You can spread the 150 minutes out in short spurts over the week. Do house or yard chores briskly, walk the dog at a quick pace, or dance to your favorite music for at least 10 minutes at a time.

Aim for 300 minutes (5 hours) of aerobic activity a week to prevent gradual weight gain in adulthood. If you are at a healthy weight now but used to be overweight or obese, experts encourage 60 to 90 minutes of exercise a day to keep the weight off.

Most adults don't need to see their doctor before starting a physical activity program. However, those who should see a doctor include men older than 40 and women older than 50 who plan a vigorous program or who have either a serious health condition or risk factors for a serious health condition.

1 For more information on NASH, see the listing in the Resources section for the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. ​​​​​​​​​​​​

​​The Weight-control Information Network (WIN) is a national information service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). WIN provides the general public, health professionals, and the media with science-based, up-to-date, culturally relevant materials and tips. Topics include healthy eating, barriers to physical activity, portion control, and eating and physical activity myths.

Publications produced by WIN are carefully reviewed by both NIDDK scientists and outside experts. This fact sheet was also reviewed by Delia Smith West, Ph.D., Professor, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Inclusion of resources is for information only and does not imply endorsement by NIDDK or WIN.

This publication is not copyrighted. WIN encourages you to copy and share as many copies as desired.